U.S. patent application number 13/488288 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-27 for point assignment.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEC BIGLOBE, LTD.. Invention is credited to Tomoya Matsumoto, Naoya Shimizu, Hiroki Takahashi, Sachie Takahashi.
Application Number | 20120330739 13/488288 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47362711 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120330739 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takahashi; Sachie ; et
al. |
December 27, 2012 |
POINT ASSIGNMENT
Abstract
A server includes a database that stores, in association with
user identification information for identifying the user who
purchases or uses goods or services, the number of points that are
assigned to the user according to the purchased or used goods or
services and that can be used to purchase goods or services. The
server divides the points stored in association with the user
identification information into user's own points that only the
user can use; and other's points that other users other than the
user can use, before storing the points in the database.
Inventors: |
Takahashi; Sachie; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Matsumoto; Tomoya; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Takahashi; Hiroki; (Tokyo, JP) ; Shimizu; Naoya;
(Tokyo, JP) |
Assignee: |
NEC BIGLOBE, LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
47362711 |
Appl. No.: |
13/488288 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0208
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.27 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20120101
G06Q030/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 22, 2011 |
JP |
2011-138203 |
Claims
1. A communication system comprising: a communication terminal that
a user operates; and a server including a database that stores, in
association with user identification information for identifying
the user who purchases or uses goods or services, a number of
points that are assigned to the user according to the purchased or
used goods or services and that can be used to purchase goods or
services, wherein said server divides the points stored in
association with the user identification information into user's
own points that only the user can use; and other's points that
other users other than the user can use, before storing the points
in said database.
2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said
communication terminal issues a request to said server to move at
least some points from among the number of points of other's points
stored in said database in association with first user
identification information to the user's own points associated with
second user identification information based on a predetermined
instruction, and when the movement request is received from said
communication terminal, said server moves the number of points for
which a move request has been made from the other's points
associated with the first user identification information to the
user's own points associated with the second user identification
information to be stored in said database.
3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein when
issuing the request, said communication terminal sends, to said
server, the first user identification information, the second user
identification information, and the number of the points to be
moved, and said server subtracts the number of the received points
from the number of points of the other's points received from said
communication terminal and associated with first user
identification information and stores the number of resultant
points in said database as the other's points associated with the
first user identification information; said server searches said
database for second user identification information received from
said communication terminal; if the second user identification
information is found in said database, said server adds the number
of points received from said communication terminal to the number
of points of the user's own points associated with the found second
user identification information; said server stores the number of
resultant points in said database as the user's own points
associated with the second user identification information; and if
the second user identification information is not found in said
database, said server stores the second user identification
information and the number of points received from said
communication terminal in said database as the user's own points in
association with each other.
4. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein said
communication terminal requests to move at least some of the number
of points of the other's points stored in said database in
association with the first user identification information to the
user's own points associated with the second user identification
information based on a preset instruction.
5. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein said
communication terminal makes a request to move at least some of the
number of points of the other's points stored in said database in
association with the first user identification information to the
user's own points associated with the second user identification
information based on an instruction inputted to said communication
terminal.
6. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein said
communication terminal makes a request to move at least some of the
number of points of the other's points stored in said database in
association with the first user identification information to the
user's own points associated with the second user identification
information based on an instruction from a user having the second
user identification information.
7. A server comprising: a database that stores, in association with
user identification information for identifying the user who
purchases or uses goods or services, the number of points that are
assigned to the user according to the purchased or used goods or
services and that can be used to purchase goods or services; and a
point operation section that divides the points stored in
association with the user identification information into user's
own points that only the user can use; and other's points that
other users other than the user can use, before storing the points
in said database.
8. The server according to claim 7, wherein when a request is made
from a communication terminal that the user move at some of the
number of points of the other's points stored in said database in
association with first user identification information to the
user's own points associated with second user identification
information, said point operation section moves the number of the
points, for which a move request has been made, from the other's
points associated with the first user identification information to
the user's own points associated with the second user
identification information and stores the points in said
database.
9. The server according to claim 8, wherein when the first user
identification information, the second user identification
information, and the number of the points to he moved are received
from said communication terminal, said point operation section
subtracts the number of the received points from the received
points of the other's points associated with first user
identification information and stores the number of resultant
points in said database as the other's points associated with the
first user identification information; said point operation section
searches said database for the received second user identification
information; if the second user identification information is found
in said database, said point operation section adds the number of
points received from said communication terminal to the number of
points of the user's own points associated with the found second
user identification information and stores the number of added
points in said database as the user's own points associated with
the second user identification information; and if the second user
identification information is not found in said database, said
point operation section stores the second user identification
information and the number of points received from said
communication terminal in said database as user's own points in
association with each other.
10. A point assignment method for use in a communication system
comprising a communication terminal that a user operates; and a
server including a database that stores, in association with user
identification information for identifying the user who purchases
or uses goods or services, a number of points that are assigned to
the user according to the purchased or used goods or services and
that can be used to purchase goods or services, wherein said server
divides the points stored in association with the user
identification information into user's own points that only the
user can use; and other's points that other users other than the
user can use, before storing the points in said database.
11. The point assignment method according to claim 10, wherein said
communication terminal issues a request to said server to move at
least some points from among the number of points of other's points
stored in said database in association with first user
identification information to the user's own points associated with
second user identification information based on a predetermined
instruction, and when the movement request is received from said
communication terminal, said server moves the number of points for
which a move request has been made from the other's points
associated with the first user identification information to the
user's own points associated with the second user identification
information to be stored in said database.
12. The point assignment method according to claim 11, wherein when
issuing the movement request, said communication terminal sends the
first user identification information, the second user
identification information, and the number of the points to be
moved to the server; said server subtracts the number of the
received points from the number of points of the other's points
associated with first user identification information received from
said communication terminal and stores the number of resultant
points in said database as the other's points associated with the
first user identification information; said server searches said
database for second user identification information received from
said communication terminal; if the second user identification
information is found in said database, said server adds the number
of points received from said communication terminal to the number
of points of the user's own points associated with the found second
user identification information, and said server stores the number
of resultant points in said database as the user's own points
associated with the second user identification information; and if
the second user identification information is not found in said
database, said server stores the second user identification
information and the number of points received from said
communication terminal in said database as the user's own points in
association with each other.
13. The point assignment method according to claim 11, wherein said
communication terminal makes a request to move at least some of the
number of points of the other's points stored in said database in
association with the first user identification information to the
user's own points associated with the second user identification
information based on a preset instruction.
14. The point assignment method according to claim 11, wherein said
communication terminal makes a request to move at least some of the
number of points of the other's points stored in said database in
association with the first user identification information to the
user's own points associated with the second user identification
information based on an instruction inputted to said communication
terminal.
15. The point assignment method according to claim 11, wherein said
communication terminal makes a request to move at least some of the
number of points of the other's points stored in said database in
association with the first user identification information to the
user's own points associated with the second user identification
information based on an instruction from a user having the second
user identification information.
Description
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-138203 filed on
Jun. 22, 2011, the content of which is incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a communication system
assigning service points, a server, and a point assignment
method.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In recent years, there has been widely accepted in the
market a point system in which when a user purchases goods or
services from a company such as a retail store and a bank, the user
receives points which can be exchanged for goods or services from
the company. The purpose of such a point system is primarily to
enable a user to retain service points and to promote sales of a
company's products/services.
[0006] The point system issues points to the user who purchases
goods or services.
[0007] Alternatively, there has been considered a system in which
when a person solicits another person for hotel accommodation, and
the solicited person stays in the solicited hotel accommodation,
points are added (assigned) to the soliciting person (see Japanese
Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-053847).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In the above described system, the user has an advantage in
that points are added to the user.
[0009] Unfortunately, only the user derives an advantage from the
above described system which had the disadvantage the points that
are retained by the customer due to repeat promotions cannot be
used by other users.
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
communication system, a server, and a service point assignment
method for solving the above described object.
[0011] A communication system of the present invention includes a
communication terminal that a user operates; and a server including
a database that stores, in association with user identification
information for identifying the user who purchases or uses goods or
services, the number of points that are assigned to the user
according to the purchased or used goods or services and that can
be used to purchase goods or services, wherein the server divides
the points stored in association with the user identification
information into the user's own points that only the user can use;
and other's points that other users other than the user can use,
before storing the points in the database.
[0012] A server of the present invention includes a database that
stores, in association with user identification information for
identifying the user who purchases or uses goods or services, the
number of points that are assigned to the user according to the
purchased or used goods or services and that can be used to
purchase goods or services; and a point operation section that
divides the points stored in association with the user
identification information into the user's own points that only the
user can use; and other's points that other users other than the
user can use. before storing the points in the database.
[0013] A service point assignment method of the present invention
for use in a communication system includes a communication terminal
that a user operates; and a server including a database that
stores, in association with user identification information for
identifying the user who purchases or uses goods or services, the
number of points that are assigned to the user according to the
purchased or used goods or services and that can be used to
purchase goods or services, wherein [0014] the server divides the
points stored in association with the user identification
information into the user's own points that only the user can use;
and other's points that other users other than the user can use,
before storing the points in the database.
[0015] As described above, the present invention can appeal to a
broader range of users.
[0016] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description with reference to the accompanying drawings which
illustrate an example of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a
communication system of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an internal configuration
of a server illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a correspondence between
the number of points and user identification information stored in
a database illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a correspondence updated by
a point operation section and stored in the database when "A0001"
is sent as first user identification information from a
communication terminal illustrated in FIG. 1; "B0001" is sent as
second user identification information; and "30" points are sent as
the number of points to be moved;
[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an internal configuration
of the communication terminal illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for describing a process of
assigning points, of the point assignment method for the
communication system illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for describing a process of
moving the assigned points, of the point assignment method for the
communication system illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an input screen displayed
on a display section in step 15;
[0025] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a completion screen
displayed on the display section illustrated in FIG. 5;
[0026] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a correspondence
indicating a relationship between the friend and the user stored in
the database illustrated in FIG. 2; and
[0027] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a user update screen
displayed on a display section of the communication terminal to
update the relationship between the friend and the user stored in
the database illustrated in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Now, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will
be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system including server
100, communication terminal 200, register 300, mobile terminal 400,
IC card 500, point card 600, and network 700 as a communication
network.
[0030] Server 100 is a communication apparatus that can communicate
with communication terminal 200 and register 300 through network
700.
[0031] Server 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes communication
section 110, authentication section 120, point operation section
130, and database 140 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Note that of the
components of server 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 illustrates
only the components according to the present invention.
[0032] Communication section 110 communicates with communication
terminal 200 and register 300 through network 700.
[0033] Authentication section 120 authenticates the user based on
the user identification information received from communication
terminal 200 and register 300 and the user information stored in
database 140. The authentication method may be a common method and
is not particularly specified here.
[0034] When a user purchases or uses goods or services, database
140 stores, in association with user identification information for
identifying the user, the number of points that are assigned to the
user according to the purchased or used goods or services and that
can be used to purchase goods or services. At this time, database
140 divides the points stored in association with the user
identification information into the user's own points that only the
user can use; and other's points that other users other than the
user can use, before storing the points in the database.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the user identification
information is stored in database 140 illustrated in FIG. 2 in
association with the number of points.
[0036] The user identification information is identification
information that can identify the user and is assigned specifically
to the user. Examples of the user identification information may
include the login ID used by the user to log in to the system, or
the name or nick name converted based on the identification
information.
[0037] When a user purchases or uses goods or services, the number
of points is assigned to the user according to the purchased or
used goods or services and can be used to purchase goods or
services.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the number of points is classified
into points "for yourself" and points "for friends". The points
"for yourself" are the user's own points that the user can use. The
points "for friends" are other's points that the user cannot use,
but a friend of the user other than the user can use.
[0039] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, user identification
information "A0001" is stored in association with your number of
points "200" and your friend's number of points "100". This
indicates that the number of points obtained by the user with user
identification information "A0001" is 300 (=200+100) points; of
this number of points, the number of points that can be used by the
user "A0001" is 200 points and the number of points that can be
used by a friend of the user "A0001" is 100 points. Further, user
identification information "B0001" is stored in association with
your number of points "50" and your friend's number of points "0".
This indicates that the number of points obtained by the user with
user identification information "B0001" is 50 points; of this
number of points, the number of points that can be used by the user
"B0001" is 50 points and the number of points that can be used by a
friend of the user "B0001" is 0 points. Furthermore, user
identification information "C0005" is stored in association with
your number of points "120" and your friend's number of points
"80". This indicates that the number of points obtained by the user
with user identification information "C0005" is 200 (=120+80)
points; of this number of points, the number of points that can be
used by the user "C0005" is 120 points and the number of points
that can be used by a friend of the user "C0005" is 80 points.
[0040] Database 140 stores information (such as user identification
information and a password) that required to authenticate the user.
Point operation section 130 update the correspondence stored in
database 140.
[0041] When the points according to the purchases of goods or
services by the user are stored in database 140, point operation
section 130 divides the points stored in association with the user
identification information into the user's own points and the
other's points before storing the points in database 140. At this
time, point operation section 130 divides the points into the
user's own points and other's points based on a predetermined ratio
or the number of points.
[0042] When communication terminal 200 requests point operation
section 130 to move at least some points from among the number of
points of other's points stored in database 140 in association with
the first user identification information to the user's own points
associated with second user identification information, point
operation section 130 moves the number of points that are required
to be moved, from the other's points associated with the first user
identification information to the user's own points associated with
the second user identification information before storing the
number of points in database 140. At this time, when the first user
identification information, the second user identification
information, and the number of points to be moved are received from
communication terminal 200, point operation section 130 subtracts
the received number of points from the number of points of the
other's points associated with the first user identification
information in database 140, and then stores the number of
resultant points in database 140 as the other's points associated
with the first user identification information. Further, point
operation section 130 searches database 140 for the received second
user identification information. If the second user identification
information is found in database 140, point operation section 130
adds the received number of points to the number of points of the
user's own points associated with the found second user
identification information and stores the number of resultant
points in database 140. If the received second user identification
information is not found in database 140, point operation section
130 stores the second user identification information and the
received number of points in database 140 in association with the
user's own points.
[0043] With reference to a specific example, a further detailed
description will be given.
[0044] For example, the correspondence illustrated in FIG. 3 is
assumed to be stored in database 140. At this time, communication
terminal 200 sends "A0001" as the first user identification
information, "B0001" as the second user identification information,
and "30" points as the number of points that are to be moved. Then,
point operation section 130 searches database 140 for "A0001".
Then, point operation section 130 subtracts the "30" points from
the number of points for others (for friends) associated with
"A0001". Currently, the number of points for others (for friends)
associated with "A0001" is "100". Accordingly, a calculation
(100-30) is made. As a result, the "70" points are stored as the
number of points for others (for friends) associated with "A0001".
Further, point operation section 130 searches database 140 for
"B0001". Then, point operation section 130 adds "30" to the number
of points of the user's own points associated with "B0001".
Currently, the number of points of the user's own points associated
with "B0001" is "50". Accordingly, a calculation (50+30) is made.
As a result, the "80" points are stored as the number of points of
the user's own points associated with "B0001".
[0045] In comparison with FIGS. 3 and 4, the number of points for
friends with user identification information "A0001" is updated
from "100" to "70" (indicated in bold). Further, the number of
points of the user's own points with user identification
information "B0001" is updated from "50" to "80" (indicated in
bold).
[0046] Communication terminal 200 is a communication apparatus that
the user operates.
[0047] Communication terminal 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes
communication section 210, display section 220, input section 230,
storage section 240, and control section 250 as illustrated in FIG.
5.
[0048] Communication section 210 communicates to and from server
100 through network 700.
[0049] Display section 220 is display for displaying
information.
[0050] Input section 230 is a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and
the like for inputting information from the outside.
[0051] Storage section 240 stores predetermined information. For
example, storage section 240 stores user identification
information.
[0052] Control section 250 controls entire communication terminal
200 including these components.
[0053] Control section 250 issues a request to server 100 through
communication section 210 so as to move at least some of the number
of points of the other's points stored in database 140 of server
100 in association with the first user identification information,
to the user's own points associated with the second user
identification information according to a predetermined
instruction. At this time, control section 250 makes a request to
move the points by sending, to server 100, the first user
identification information, the second user identification
information, and the number of points that are to be moved. Here,
the "predetermined instruction" may be a preset instruction, an
instruction inputted to input section 230 from outside, or an
instruction that contains the second user identification
information from the user. The first user identification
information to be sent may be information preliminarily stored in
storage section 240 or information inputted to input section 230
from the outside. The second user identification information and
the number of points to be sent may be information inputted to
input section 230 from the outside.
[0054] Register 300 is a checkout machine installed in a store and
the like. When a user purchases goods or services, register 300
sends, to server 100, the number of points according to the
purchased goods or services or the price thereof. At this time,
register 300 sends the number of points together with the user
identification information of the user to server 100. The user
identification information may be information read from IC card 500
or point card 600 in which the user identification information is
stored, or information read from mobile terminal 400. Further, the
user identification information may be information read from mobile
terminal 400 or the like using reader 310 having a non-contact
communication function provided in register 300. Reader 310 may be
such that, for example, when mobile terminal 400 is passed over
reader 310, reader 310 reads the user identification information
from mobile terminal 400.
[0055] Now, the point assignment method for the communication
system illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described. First, as regards
the point assignment method for the communication system
illustrated in FIG. 1, a process of assigning points will be
described with reference to FIG. 6.
[0056] First, a user purchases goods or services. Then, in step 1,
at settlement, the user identification information is read from
mobile terminal 400. IC card 500, or point card 600 by reader 310
of register 300. Then, in step 2, the number of points according to
the purchased goods or services or the price thereof is inputted to
register 300. Then, in step 3, the user identification information
and the number of points are sent from register 300 to server
100.
[0057] Note the process in step 1 or the process in step 2,
whichever comes first.
[0058] When communication section 110 of server 100 receives the
user identification information and the number of points from
register 300, then in step 4, point operation section 130 searches
database 140 for the corresponding user identification
information.
[0059] If the user identification information is found in database
140, then in step 5, the number of points received from register
300 is added to the number of points stored in association with the
found user identification information. At this time, the number of
points is divided into the user's own points and the other's points
based on a preset ratio or the number of points and stored in
database 140.
[0060] Note that the number of points may be assigned not when a
user purchases goods or services but when the user visits the
store. For example, a point may be assigned just when the user
enters the store. Here, the system may recognize that the user
enters the store such that, for example, when the user passes his
or her mobile terminal 400, IC card 500. or point card 600 over a
reader installed in the store separately from register 300, the
reader reads the user identification information from the terminal
or the card and sends the information to server 100. Alternatively,
the system may recognize that the user enters the store such that
if mobile terminal 400 has a GPS (Global Positioning System)
function, mobile terminal 400 obtains the position information and
sends the obtained position information and the user identification
information to server 100; and then based on the position
information, server 100 determines whether or not the user holding
mobile terminal 400 has entered the store.
[0061] Still alternatively, a predetermined point may be assigned
according to a user action such as answering a questionnaire on the
Internet. Thus, any method may be used as long as the user can be
identified and points can be assigned to the user.
[0062] If a user purchases goods or services in a site on the
Internet, the user needs to settle the transaction on the Internet
because there is no register 300. In this case, the user
identification information and the number of points may be sent to
server 100 from the site where the user made the settlement. The
point may be sent by a common method and is not particularly
specified. The user identification information at this time is the
information that the user inputs to a communication terminal
connected to the Internet.
[0063] Apparently, such points may be classified for each store and
site (for example, in association with the store identification
information for identifying the store) and stored in database
140.
[0064] Next, as regards the point assignment method for the
communication system illustrated in FIG. 1, a process of moving the
assigned point will be described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0065] First, in step 11, a password is inputted to input section
230 of communication terminal 200. Then, in step 12, the user
identification information (first user identification information)
inputted to input section 230 or stored in storage section 240 and
the inputted password are sent from communication section 210 to
server 100.
[0066] When communication section 110 of server 100 receives the
user identification information and the password from communication
terminal 200, then in step 13, authentication section 120
authenticates the user based on the received information and
password and the information stored in database 140. This
authentication method may be a common method.
[0067] If authentication section 120 succeeds in authenticating the
user, input screen information is generated using the user
identification information and other's number of points stored in
database 140 in association with the user identification
information. Then, in step 14, the generated input screen
information is sent from communication section 110 to communication
terminal 200.
[0068] When communication section 210 of communication terminal 200
receives the input screen information from server 100, then in step
15, an input screen is displayed on display section 220 based on
the received input screen information.
[0069] When a correspondence illustrated in FIG. 3 is stored in
database 140, then in step 15, an input screen is displayed on
display section 220 as illustrated in FIG. 8. As illustrated in
FIG. 8, the input screen includes the first user identification
information "A0001"; the friend's number of points "100" as the
other's points associated with "A0001"; an input field for
inputting the friend's user identification information (second user
identification information) to which you want to move the point;
and an input field for inputting the number of points that are to
be moved (sent).
[0070] Then, in step 16, the second user identification information
is inputted to the input field of the friend's user identification
information, and the number of points is inputted to the input
field of the number of points that are to be moved (sent). When the
button "send the point to your friend" is selected, then in step
17, the first user identification information, the inputted second
user identification information, and the inputted number of points
are sent from communication section 210 to server 100. For example,
when "B0001" is inputted to the input field of the second user
identification information and "30" is inputted to the input field
of the number of points that are to be moved, the first user
identification information "A0001", the second user identification
information "B0001", and the number of points "30" are sent from
communication section 210 to server 100.
[0071] Here, if a value greater than the friend's number of points
displayed on display section 220 as the number of points to be
moved, a message indicating that the input cannot be accepted or a
message prompting reentry may be displayed on display section
220.
[0072] Alternatively, when information is inputted to an input
field of the friend's user identification information, the friend's
information registered in an SNS (Social Networking Service) may be
read separately, the friend may be selected from a list of friends
stored in storage section 240 or database 140 of server 100, or the
name or nickname will be used as a keyword to search storage
section 240 or database 140 of server 100.
[0073] When communication section 110 of server 100 receives the
first user identification information, the second user
identification information, and the number of points from
communication terminal 200, then in step 18, point operation
section 130 searches database 140 for the received first user
identification information "A0001". If found, point operation
section 130 obtains the friend's number of points "100" associated
with the found user identification information "A0001". Then, point
operation section 130 subtracts, from the number of points "100",
the number of points "30" received from communication terminal 200.
Further, point operation section 130 searches database 140 for the
received second user identification information "B0001". If found,
point operation section 130 obtains the user's own number of points
"50" associated with the found user identification information
"B0001". Then, point operation section 130 adds, to the number of
points "50", the number of points "30" received from communication
terminal 200. Thus, in step 19, the number of points "30" is moved
from the friend's points of "A0001" to the user's own points of
"B0001". As a result of moving these points, the correspondence
stored in database 140 is updated to the correspondence illustrated
in FIG. 4.
[0074] Subsequently, the results of point movement may be sent from
server 100 to communication terminal 200. For example, the
completion screen information for displaying a completion screen
indicating the results may be sent from server 100 to communication
terminal 200. The completion screen information includes the first
user identification information "A0001"; the second user
identification information "B0001"; the moved number of points
"30"; and other's number of points (friend's number of points) "70"
associated with the first user identification information after the
points have been moved.
[0075] When communication section 210 of communication terminal 200
receives the completion screen information from server 100, a
completion screen is displayed on display section 220 based on the
received completion screen information.
[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 9, display section 220 illustrated in
FIG. 5 includes a message indicating that 30 points have been moved
(sent) to user identification information "B0001" and a message
indicating that the friend's number of points of user
identification information "A0001" have been updated to 70.
Further, display section 220 may include a Yes button and a No
button as to whether or not to move (send) points. If the Yes
button is selected, the input screen illustrated in FIG. 8 may be
displayed again.
[0077] Further, at this time, a message may be sent to the
destination to which the points have been moved. For example, in
the above described example, a message indicating that 30 points
have been moved may be sent to a communication terminal of user
identification information "B0001". At this time, display section
220 may include a message indicating the total number of points
that have been moved or a message indicating the source from which
the points have been received. For example, when an email address
is preliminarily stored in database 140 in association with the
user identification information, an email message to that effect
may be sent to the email address.
[0078] Alternatively, database 140 illustrated in FIG. 2 may
include a correspondence indicating a relationship between the
friend and the user.
[0079] Database 140 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes user
identification information and user identification information of
his or her friend in association with each other as illustrated in
FIG. 10. The user identification information corresponds to the
first user identification information; and the user identification
information of his or her friend corresponds to the second user
identification information.
[0080] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, user identification
information "A0001" is stored in association with the friend's user
identification information "B0001" and "C0005". More specifically,
the user registered as a friend of the user having user
identification information "A0001" includes a user having user
identification information "B0001" and a user having user
identification information "C0005". Further, user identification
information "B0001" is stored in association with friend's user
identification information "A0001" and "D0010". This indicates that
the user registered as a friend of the user having user
identification information "B0001" includes the user having user
identification information "A0001" and a user having user
identification information "D0010". Furthermore, user
identification information "C0005" is stored in association with
friend's user identification information "E1000". This indicates
that the user registered as a friend of the user having user
identification information "C0005" includes the user having user
identification information "E1000".
[0081] The correspondence indicating the friend relationship
registered in database 140 can be updated from communication
terminal 200.
[0082] Now, the description will focus on the process of updating
the friend relationship registered in database 140 illustrated in
FIG. 2. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a user update
screen for the user having user identification information "A0001"
is displayed on display section 220 of communication terminal 200
that the user having the user identification information "A0001"
operates as illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0083] The displayed user update screen includes a list of user
identification information currently registered as friends in
database 140, in which each friend has a deletion button to delete
the corresponding information. The user update screen further
includes an entry field for inputting user identification
information of a friend who is to be added; and an enter
button.
[0084] In the above example, the user having the first user
identification information moves the points by specifying the
second user identification information as the destination to which
other's points of the user having the first user identification
information are to be moved, but the user having the second user
identification information may move the points by himself or
herself. For example, the points may be moved such that the first
user identification information and the number of points of other's
points are sent to a user belonging to a certain group (such as a
user registered as a friend as illustrated in FIG. 10, hereinafter
referred to as a friend user) by email, electronic bulletin board,
or the like; from among the friend users, a user wanting to get
some or all of the other's points may perform a process of moving
the assigned points and requests that the assigned points be moved;
and then, the points are moved from the other's points associated
with the first user identification information to the user's own
points associated with the second user identification information
as the user identification information of the friend user.
[0085] Alternatively, the points may be moved such that when a user
purchases goods or services and points are added to other's points
associated with the first user identification information, the
other's points may be moved to the user's own points associated
with the second user identification information based on a
predetermined ratio or the number of points. For example, an
assumption is made that the friend relationship as illustrated in
FIG. 10 is registered in database 140 and that the percentage of
points that have been moved to "B0001" associated with user
identification information "A0001" has been registered in advance
as 60% and that the percentage of points that have been moved to
"C0005" has been registered as 40%. In this case the points may be
moved such that when the user "A0001" purchases goods or services
and communication section 110 receives the user identification
information "A0001" and the number of points, point operation
section 130 assigns 100 points to other's points of "A0001" and
searches database 140 for the relationship between the friend and
user of "A0001" and the percentage of assigning the points; and
then moves 60 points as 60 percentage points of the 100 points to
the user's own points of "B0001" and moves 40 points as 40
percentage points thereof to the user's own points of "C0005".
[0086] Thus, according to the present invention, points obtained by
a user can be useful to others such as friends and can further
promote the visit of friends of the user to use the points in the
store, whereby the number of customers can be increased.
[0087] The process of each component provided in server 100 may be
performed by a logic circuit fabricated according to the purpose.
Further, the process may be performed such that a computer program
in which the processing content is written as a procedure
(hereinafter referred to as a program) is recorded in a recording
medium readable by server 100 and the program recorded in the
recording medium is read and executed by server 100. Examples of
the recording medium readable by server 100 include movable
recording media such as a floppy (registered trademark disk, a
magneto-optical disk, a DVD, and a CD as well as a memory such as a
ROM and a RAM and an HDD stored in server 100. The program recorded
in the recording medium is read by a CPU (not illustrated) provided
in server 100 and the same processing as that described above is
performed under the control of the CPU. Here, the CPU operates as a
computer for executing the program read from the recording medium
in which the program is recorded.
[0088] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the
invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes in form and details may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by
the claims.
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